Dangerous dogs - The time has come to ban Rottweilers

THIS morning the parents of Jordan Denn, of Edenderry, Co Offaly, who was savaged by one of two Rottweilers that had escaped from an enclosure in their owner’s garden, could be forgiven for wondering why anyone would wish to keep two young animals with such destructive potential on a housing estate.

Equally, as they stand beside the hospital bed of their seven-year old son they, and every parent whose children may encounter dogs of such immense power, must wonder why animals of such a disposition are, once again, becoming so common in our communities.

Despite the introduction of legislation after the last spate of attacks by terror dogs such as Pitbull terriers, Rottweilers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, various combinations of fighting and security breeds can be seen on almost any journey around the fringes of our towns or cities.